Teachers at a catholic elementary school in Thornhill, Ont., filled out a “Cultural Humility Self-Reflection” survey during a recent professional activity day, says a parent at the school.
Critical race theory has various definitions, but is generally described as an intellectual movement that sees institutions as systemically racist and oppressive to people of colour. The theory has Marxist roots and informs many anti-racism initiatives today.
Self-Criticism, Struggle Sessions
During the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, under then-Chinese Communist Party leader Mao Zedong, it was common to have people engage in self-criticism. Struggle sessions were a form of public humiliation for anyone not following the party line.
Others have also equated today’s “bias training” with Maoist self-criticism and struggle sessions.
The Tool
The introduction to the tool says it is meant for self-reflection and that the answers remain confidential. It includes 30 ideas or practices and the teacher is asked to rate themselves on how they have adopted each.For example, one is titled “I am aware of my privilege.” The description reads: “If I am a member of a dominant culture, I understand that I am not without power and privilege, and because of that I may not be seen as ‘unbiased’ or as an ally.” The teacher is asked to respond either how frequently he or she has that understanding: never, rarely, sometimes, often, or always.
When the teachers check “never” or “rarely,” they are encouraged to come up with “cultural humility goals” and plans to better adopt those ideas.
Recognizing one’s own “privilege” is included in four of the ideas. One is about knowing one’s family history in Canada, another is under the heading “I take an active interest in social justice issues.”
The tool asks teachers to affirm their understanding of ideas that have proven polarizing in Canadian society. Such points include “I understand gender as a spectrum” and “I respect and affirm gender identity.”
At the bottom of the survey is a statement that the tool was adapted from similar tools created by the federal government, Western University, and the Greater Vancouver Island Multicultural Society.
Similar Tools in Other Institutions
For instance, lawyers raised the alarm on a tool mandated by the Law Society of Alberta (LSA) starting July 4.LSA members must answer questions about their dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles. Where they show a lack of dedication, they must come up with professional development plans to improve.
Thirty LSA members said in a letter to LSA leadership on July 17 that its “cultural competency” initiatives are similar to the “cultural indoctrination” experienced by lawyers and others under the communist regime in China.
“The LSA is now using its regulatory power to compel all lawyers to salute and pursue the same political ideology,” they said. The tool tells teachers they should reflect on their ”privilege“ if they are members of a ”dominant culture“ and to recognize ”systemic racism and white supremacy, which persist today and impact student mental health.”
